Integrally formed B-pillar and belt-line window molding

ABSTRACT

A combination B-pillar molding and belt-line window molding for a motor vehicle door, and method for manufacturing the same. The molding comprises a main body including a window sealing structure and a mounting structure. The sealing structure is formed from a resilient material constructed and arranged to seal a belt-line gap between a motor vehicle door and a motor vehicle window. The mounting structure is constructed and arranged to mount the main body on a belt-line region of the motor vehicle door. The molding further includes a metal cover member having an elongate first portion with a channel configuration The channel configuration of the first portion is flexible outwardly to receive a portion of the main body and flexible inwardly to grippingly engage the portion of the main body in secured relation. The metal cover member has an elongate second portion integrally formed with the first portion and extends laterally from the first portion. The second portion is constructed and arranged to extend generally vertically and in overlying relation with respect to a B-pillar of the motor vehicle door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to window moldings, and inparticular, window moldings for a motor vehicle which are constructedand arranged to seal the interface between an automobile window glassand an adjacent body structure.

[0002] Conventionally, automobiles are provided with elongate windowmoldings which are constructed and arranged to form a seal betweenwindow glass and the surrounding or adjacent body structure on which theglass is mounted. Typically, the window molding is fixed to the vehiclebody structure and provides a sealing engagement with the periphery ofthe window glass to prevent water and other environmental elements frompassing between the body structure and the window glass.

[0003] Because window moldings have a main body which is usually notparticularly aesthetically appealing, the main body is covered with amore appealing cover member. The cover member may be painted, anodized,chrome-plated, or otherwise treated.

[0004] Conventionally, the cover member has been secured to the mainbody portion of the window molding in a variety of different methods. Inone conventional method, the cover member is extruded directly onto themain body portion generally towards the end of the manufacturingprocess. Typically, the body portion itself, which normally comprises arubber or resilient material, and in some cases, an accompanying rigidstructure or rigid insert, is itself extruded. By forming the covermember as an extrusion over the extruded main body portion, themanufacturer must designate the particular configuration, construction,and appearance of the cover member at the same time at which the mainbody portion is being completed. This method renders it ratherimpractical for the manufacturer to manufacture a large number of mainbody portions, and then later decide the type. shape, etc. of covermember to be applied to the main body portion. As a result,manufacturing flexibility is impaired, and the cost-savings associatedwith manufacturing a large number of body portions at one time is notrealized.

[0005] In an alternate manufacturing process, the body portion isextruded such that it is configured to have a pair of longitudinalgrooves which are constructed and arranged to receive the edges of achannel-like cover member by sliding such edges along the grooves in alongitudinal fashion. This is a rather laborious and tedious task,especially where a degree of curvature is to be provided in the windowmolding.

[0006] In yet other arrangements, the cover member is secured to themain body portion by various types of separate clip-members orattachment-members which form the connecting interface between the covermember and main body portion. These clip members are inconvenient in themanufacturing process and add to the total cost of the molding. In yetother arrangements, the molding is glued with an adhesive to the mainbody portion. This adds costs and complexity to the manufacturingprocess.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome theshortcomings noted above. In accordance with this object, the presentinvention provides a method of assembling a belt-line window molding fora motor vehicle door comprising i) a main body including a resilientwindow sealing structure constructed and arranged to seal a gap betweenthe motor vehicle door and the motor vehicle window, and a mountingstructure constructed and arranged to mount the window molding on themotor vehicle door, the mounting structure including a rigid portion,and ii) a metal cover member having a channel configuration constructedand arranged to cover a portion of the mounting structure which isadapted to extend in overlying relation to an exterior surface of thedoor. The method comprises forming the main body by extrusion; placingone edge of the metal cover member in an edge receiving recess of themain body; pivoting the metal cover member generally about the one edgeso as to cause an opposite edge of the metal cover member to engage therigid portion of the mounting structure; forcing the opposite edge ofthe metal cover member to move in sliding engagement across the rigidportion; outwardly flexing the channel configuration of the metal covermember as a result of the cover member being forced to move in slidingengagement across the rigid portion; and inwardly flexing the covermember back towards its original configuration and into grippingengagement with the rigid portion to secure the cover member to the mainbody.

[0008] It is preferred that the metal cover member be secured to themain body before the window molding is mounted on the motor vehicle. Itis also preferred that the cover member be treated (e.g., anodized,chrome plated, painted) after the main body is formed by extrusion.

[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a belt linewindow molding for a motor vehicle comprising a main body including awindow sealing structure and a mounting structure, the sealing structureformed from a resilient material constructed and arranged to seal a gapbetween a motor vehicle door and a motor vehicle window, and themounting structure constructed and arranged to mount the window moldingon the motor vehicle door, the mounting structure including a rigidportion having a ridge formed thereon; a metal cover member having achannel configuration including a pair of opposite edges, the main bodyhaving an edge receiving recess being constructed and arranged to enableone edge of the edges to be received therein; the edge receiving recessbeing cooperable with the one edge to enable the cover member to bepivoted generally about the one edge to enable an opposite edge of theedges to engage the rigid portion of the mounting structure and rideupward and over the ridge formed on the rigid portion, the metal covermember flexing outwardly as it rides upward the ridge, and then flexinginwardly after it rides over the ridge, and the metal cover member thusbeing retained in secure engagement with the main body

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide acombination belt-line molding and B-pillar molding for a motor vehicledoor which achieves the desired flexibility noted above. In accordancewith this object, the present invention provides a combination B-pillarmolding and belt-line window molding for a motor vehicle door, andmethod for manufacturing the same. The molding comprises a main bodyincluding a window sealing structure and a mounting structure. Thesealing structure is formed from a resilient material constructed andarranged to seal a belt-line gap between a motor vehicle door and amotor vehicle window. The mounting structure is constructed and arrangedto mount the main body on a belt-line region of the motor vehicle door.The molding further includes a metal cover member having an elongatefirst portion with a channel configuration. The channel configuration ofthe first portion is flexible outwardly to receive a portion of the mainbody and flexible inwardly to grippingly engage the portion of the mainbody in secured relation The metal cover member has an elongate secondportion integrally formed with the first portion and extends laterallyfrom the first portion. The second portion is constructed and arrangedto extend generally vertically and in overlying relation with respect toa B-pillar of the motor vehicle door.

[0011] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will beappreciated from the following detailed description drawings and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a belt-line window molding showninstalled on a vehicle door in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 2-2 inFIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cover trim member in theprocess of being installed on the belt-line window molding in accordancewith principles of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective of a combination belt-line window moldingand B-pillar molding in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention, shown installed on a vehicle door;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the taken through the line 4-4in FIG. 4 of the B-pillar portion of the molding of the secondembodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Shown generally in FIG. 1 is a belt-line window molding 10manufactured in accordance with the principles of the present invention.The window molding 10 is shown mounted on the upper portion of a motorvehicle door body 12, illustrated in broken-line configuration. Inparticular, the window molding 10 is mounted longitudinally along thebelt-line of the vehicle door at the portion at which the outer doorpanel 14 and inner door panel 16 are joined. In the preferredembodiment, the window molding 10 generally includes a main body 11 anda cover trim member 60 as will be more fully described.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 2-2 inFIG. 1. As shown, the main body 11 includes a seal member or sealstructure 30, and a door mounting structure 50. The door mountingstructure has rigid interior support structure 18, preferably made ofaluminum. Steel, hardened plastic, or other rigid material can also beused. The support structure 18 includes a substantially flat plateportion 20, which is constructed and arranged to extend downwardlybetween the door body 12 and the vehicle window, which window isrepresented generally in broken-line configuration by reference numeral22. The support structure 18 further includes an upper bent portion 24extending from the plate portion 20 and is constructed and arranged tobend over the joint between the inner door panel 16 and outer door panel14. The support structure 18 then extends downwardly from the bentportion 24 to flange portion 26 thereof. In essence, the supportstructure 18 has an inverted-J cross-sectional configuration.

[0019] Support structure 18 is imbedded along its entire extent withinthe seal or member 30 and the door mounting structure 50, as shown. Theseal member 30 and door mounting structure 50 together form the mainbody 11 of the window molding 10. The upper part of plate portion 20 onthe window facing side thereof, is covered by the seal member 30. Theseal member 30 is preferably made from a flexible, resilient material,such as Sumprene, or the like. Seal member 30 preferably includes anupper seal portion 32 and a lower seal portion 34, which portions extendgenerally between the door body 12 and the window 22 to prevent externalelements, such as rainwater, from entering between the door body 12 andwindow 22. The underside of the upper seal portion 32 and the undersideof the lower seal portion 34 are provided with conventional dorrie flockmaterial, indicated by reference numeral 36. The upper seal portion 32and the lower seal portion 34 are constructed and arranged to flex andapply a resilient force against the window 22, as can be appreciatedfrom the broken-line illustration of the upper seal portion 32 and lowerseal portion 34. In particular, the upper seal portion 32 and the lowerseal portion 34 force the dorrie flock material against the window, withthe dorrie flock material providing a sliding friction seal, whichpermits sliding movement of the window, but prevents rainwater fromseeping between the window 22 and door body 12.

[0020] The mounting structure 50 covers the rest of the supportstructure 18 which is not covered by seal member 30, and is preferablymade from a rigid PVC material. The mounting structure 50 meets the sealmember 30 at joints 52, 53 therebetween and is constructed and arrangedto mount the entire molding 10 on the door body 12. The mountingstructure 50 includes a flange portion 40, which surrounds the flangeportion 26 of the support structure 18. The flange portion 40 includesan enlarged end portion 42, which is constructed and arranged to engagethe exterior surface of the outer door panel 14. The portion of themounting structure 50 adjacent the plate portion 20 and which faces awayfrom the window 22, includes flanges 54 and 55, which are constructedand arranged to engage the exterior surface of the inner door panel 16.The mounting structure 50 further includes a lower projection 56, whichis adapted to extend within an opening in the inner door panel 16. Theflanges 54, 55, projection 56, and end portion 42 serve to mount themolding 10 on the door 12. In particular, in the configuration shown inFIG. 2, the flange portion 26 and plate portion 20 of the supportstructure 18 are moved slightly outwardly away from one another byslight outward flexing of bent portion 24 against the natureconfiguration thereof when the entire window molding 10 is slipped overthe upper part of the door body 12. This causes the end portion 42 ofthe flange portion 40 and opposing flanges 54, 55 to apply a resilientforce against the exterior surface of the door body 12 to thus pinch theupper portion of the door body 12 therebetween. When the molding is slidonto the door, the projection 56 rides down the upper portion of theinner door panel 16 until it reaches the door opening, at which point isresiliently “snapped” in place within the opening to secure the molding10 to the door body 12. As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, theprojection 56 does not extend the entire length of the molding, asneither does the opening in the inner panel 16 within which theprojection 56 fits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0021] The mounting structure 50 is also provided with a dorrie flockmaterial 36 at a lower portion thereof facing window 22 in the eventthat this portion is to engage the window 22, although this is not thecase with the preferred embodiment shown. The flange portion 40 alsoincludes a bottom ridge portion 44, which defines the lowermostextremity of the flange portion 40 when installed.

[0022] Preferably, the seal member 30, the mounting structure 50, thedorrie flocks 36, and the support structure 18 are extruded together inan in-line extrusion process. After these elements have beenmanufactured, a cover trim member 60 is snapped in place to cover theflange portion 40 of the mounting structure 50 for aesthetic andprotective purposes.

[0023] The installation of the cover trim member 60 can be appreciatedmore fully from FIG. 3. Preferably, the cover trim member is secured tothe rest of the molding as a final assembly step of manufacturing themolding before the molding 10 is installed on the door, although it iscontemplated that it is possible to provide an arrangement wherein thecover trim member 60 is installed after the rest of the molding isinstalled on the door. As shown, an opening 62 is provided generally atthe upper joint 53 between the seal member 30 and mounting structure 50.The cover trim member 60 has a generally C-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration. An upper lip 64 of this C-shaped configuration isconstructed and arranged to be received within the opening 62. In themethod of installation, the cover trim member 60 is pivoted about thisupper lip 64 (in a counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3) until a lowerbent lip 66 engages the lower part of the flange portion 40. Moreparticularly, the lower bent lip 66 of the cover trim member 60 engagesthe bottom ridge portion 44, and is forced to ride over the ridgeportion 44 to snap-in place on the other side of the ridge portion 44,thus securing the cover trim member 60 in place. The movement of thecover trim member 60 over the ridge portion 44 may be effected by aslight outward flexing of the C-shaped cross-section of the cover trimmember 60 and/or a slight inward compression or flexure of the flangeportions 26, 40 towards the plate portion 20.

[0024] Because the cover trim member 60 is formed separately from therest of the window molding 10, significant flexibility with respect tothe particular requirements of the cover trim member 60 is accommodated.More particularly, for different applications, the cover trim member canbe made of one of many different types of materials, such as aluminum orsteel. Preferably, the trim member 60 is formed from sheet metal in aconventional roll forming operation. In addition, it may be desirable tohave the cover trim member 60 anodized or chrome-plated. Furthermore, itmay be desirable to have the cover trim member painted or otherwisecolored based upon the color of the vehicle body or other factors.Because the cover trim member 60 can be installed subsequent to the restof the window molding, particular specifications for the cover trimmember 60 need not be specified when the rest of the molding ismanufactured.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective of a combination belt-line window moldingand B-pillar molding, generally indicated at 100, in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention. The molding 100 is showninstalled on a vehicle door, indicated at 102.

[0026] The molding 100 has a main body 104, which is identical in allrespects with the main body 11 of the first embodiment. As shown, as inthe first embodiment, the main body has an elongate resilient sealingstructure 106, which seals the gap between the door 102 and the vehiclewindow 108.

[0027] The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from the first embodimentin that the molding 100 has a cover member 110 which not only covers aportion of the main body, but also has a lateral extension that coversthe door B-pillar 116. More particularly, the cover member has anelongate first portion 112 which extends generally horizontally inoverlying relation with the main body 104, and also has a second portion114 which extends generally vertically in overlying relation withrespect to the door B-pillar 116. The first portion 112 is integrallyformed with the second portion 114 from a sheet metal stamping. Thesecond portion 114 is fixed to the door B-pillar 116 preferably byriveting, bolting, welding, or in any other conventional fashion. Thesecond portion 114 is preferably fixed at its inner surface, so as tomask its connection with the B-pillar 116 for aesthetic purposes.

[0028] As in the first embodiment, the cover member 110 is preferablymade from a metal material, and most preferably from aluminum. Unlikethe first embodiment, however, the cover member 110 is formed bystamping, rather than roll forming, to accommodate its L-shaped generalconfiguration as shown, and also to accommodate the differentcross-sectional shapes of the first portion 112 and the second portion114. More particularly, the first portion 112 has a generally rounded“C-shaped” cross-sectional configuration (as is the case with the covermember 60 in the first embodiment), while the second portion 114 has amore squared “C-shaped” configuration, as can be appreciated from FIG.5, which is a cross sectional view of the taken through the line 4-4 inFIG. 4. It can be appreciated that the squared “C-shaped” crosssectional configuration of second portion 114 includes a pinched portion118 forming a flange at a lower left hand corner of the sqared C-shapedconfiguration as shown.

[0029] In recent years the motor vehicle manufacturing business hasrecognized the great costs involved in maintaining large inventories ofparts for use on the assembly line. Particularly with respect to partssupplied by other parts supplying entities, original equipmentmanufacturers are reluctant to assume the costs of the large inventoriesand are passing on to the part maker the costs involved in supplyingsufficient parts to keep the assembly line running. Window moldingsoften need to match the exterior finish of their vehicle. Modern motorvehicle styling requirements are such that there can be 17 or moredifferent color exterior finishes that must be matched by the part makerof the window molding for the vehicle. The present invention effectivelydeals with inventory cost problems in a cost-effective manner.

[0030] It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It will be understood, however, thatthe foregoing preferred specific embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purpose of this invention and is subject to changewithout departure from such principles. Therefore, this inventionincludes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of assembling and installing acombination B-pillar molding and belt-line window molding for a motorvehicle door, said integrally formed molding comprising i) a main bodyincluding an elongate resilient window sealing structure constructed andarranged to extend horizontally to seal a belt-line gap between themotor vehicle door and the motor vehicle window, and a mountingstructure constructed and arranged to mount the main body on a belt-lineregion of the motor vehicle door, said mounting structure including arigid portion and ii) a metal cover member having a first portioncomprising channel configuration constructed and arranged to cover aportion of said mounting structure which is adapted to extend inoverlying relation to an exterior surface of the belt-line region of thedoor, and a second portion integrally formed with said first portion andextending laterally from said first portion, said second portionconstructed and arranged to be mounted on the door to extend verticallyand in overlying relation to a B-pillar of said door, said methodcomprising: forming said main body by extrusion; placing onelongitudinal edge of said first portion of said metal cover member in anedge receiving recess of said main body; pivoting said metal covermember generally about said one edge so as to cause an oppositelongitudinal edge of said first portion of said metal cover member toengage said rigid portion of said mounting structure; forcing saidopposite edge of said metal cover member to move in sliding engagementacross said rigid portion; outwardly flexing the channel configurationof said first portion of said metal cover member as a result of thefirst portion of said cover member being forced to move in slidingengagement across said rigid portion; inwardly flexing said cover memberback towards its original configuration and into gripping engagementwith said rigid portion to secure said cover member to said main body;mounting said main body and said first portion of said cover member onthe belt-line region of said door; and simultaneously mounting saidintegrally formed second portion of said cover member in overlyingrelation with respect to the B-pillar of said door.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 , wherein said rigid portion of said mountingstructure has a ridge portion formed thereon, and wherein said outwardlyflexing step comprises forcing said opposite edge upwards one side ofsaid ridge in sliding engagement with said one side of said ridge, andwherein said inwardly flexing step comprises sliding said opposite edgeriding downwards an opposite side of said ridge.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1 , wherein said window molding is mounted on the motor vehicledoor after said metal cover member is secured to said main body.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3 , wherein said mounting structure of saidmain body comprises an exterior portion constructed and arranged to bedisposed exteriorly to an outer door panel, and an interior portionconstructed and arranged to be disposed between an inner door panel andthe motor vehicle window, and wherein said mounting step comprises:moving said interior portion downwardly between said inner door paneland said motor vehicle window while in sliding engagement with a surfaceof said inner door panel; moving said exterior portion downwardly oversaid outer door panel while in sliding engagement therewith; outwardlyflexing said mounting structure so that said interior portion andexterior portion move away from one another during said movingdownwardly thereof; inwardly flexing said mounting structure towards itsoriginal configuration as a projection of said mounting structure isreceived within an opening in said inner door panel, said projectionco-acting with an edge defining said opening in said inner door panelfor prevent said molding from being pulled off said vehicle door; andfixing said second portion of said cover member to said B-pillar.
 5. Themethod according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of treatingsaid cover member after said forming of said main body by extrusion, andbefore said cover member is secured to said main body, and wherein saidtreating comprises any one selected from a group consisting ofanodizing, chrome plating, and painting.
 6. The method according toclaim 1 , further comprising the step of stamping sheet metal to formsaid cover member.
 7. A combination B-pillar molding and belt-linewindow molding, for a motor vehicle door comprising: a main bodyincluding a window sealing, structure and a mounting structure, saidsealing structure formed from a resilient material constructed andarranged to seal a belt-line gap between a motor vehicle door and amotor vehicle window, and said mounting, structure constructed andarranged to mount the main body on a belt-line region of said motorvehicle door; a metal cover member having an elongate first portion witha channel configuration, said channel configuration of said firstportion being flexible outwardly to receive a portion of said main bodyand flexible inwardly to grippingly engage said portion of said mainbody in secured relation; said metal cover member having an elongatesecond portion integrally formed with said first portion and extendinglaterally from said first portion, said second portion constructed andarranged to extend generally vertically and in overlying relation withrespect to a B-pillar of said motor vehicle door.
 8. The moldingaccording to claim 7 , wherein said mounting structure comprises a rigidPVC material forming said rigid portion.
 9. The molding according toclaim 8 , wherein said mounting structure further comprises a supportstructure which provides support to said PVC material.
 10. The moldingaccording to claim 9 , wherein said support structure is made fromaluminum.
 11. The molding according to claim 10 , wherein said supportstructure is at least partially embedded in said PVC material.
 12. Themolding according to claim 9 , wherein said resilient material of saidsealing structure is fixed to said PVC material and to said supportstructure of said mounting structure.
 13. The molding according to claim9 , wherein said resilient material comprises Sumprene.
 14. The moldingaccording to claim 7 , wherein said main body has an edge receivingrecess being constructed and arranged to enable an elongate first edgeof said first portion of said cover member to be received therein; saidedge receiving recess being cooperable with said first edge to enablesaid cover member to be pivoted generally about said first edge toenable a second edge of said first portion to engage a rigid portion ofsaid mounting structure and ride upward and over a ridge formed on saidrigid portion, said metal cover member flexing outwardly as it ridesupward said ridge, and then flexing inwardly after it rides over saidridge, said metal cover member thus being retained in secure engagementwith said main body.
 15. The molding according to claim 14 , whereinsaid edge receiving recess of said main body is formed at an interfacebetween said resilient material and said mounting structure.